93% of motorcyclists would recommend the airbag for motorcycles to other motorcyclists for use on trips. Based on a test with 83 motorcyclists and also on a crash test at CESVIMAP, the MAPFRE Road Safety Experimentation Center in Ávila, Spain, it was concluded that the airbag for motorcycles is a good safety system and represents a major advance in the passive safety of the driver and passenger of a motorcycle.
The report “Ergonomics and sensations in the use of airbags for motorcycles” aimed to verify the effectiveness of this safety system as well as to understand the sensations that motorcyclists who use it experience when riding alone or with a passenger, aspects that, according to experts, can significantly alter perception and, consequently, directly or indirectly affect their safety.
6 out of 10 motorcyclists who use the airbag have a greater sense of security (66%), especially those over 50 years old (70%) and users of maxiscooters (86%), motorcycles with higher engine capacity and performance than a 125cc.
The MAPFRE Foundation also concluded that there is a certain lack of knowledge on the part of the surveyed drivers about the characteristics and applications of this safety system and recommends specific legislation, as well as availability by manufacturers: “Motorcycle manufacturers must continue to support the use of this system, which is directly applicable to any type of motorcyclist, regardless of the type of motorcycle,” says Jesús Monclús, Director of Prevention and Road Safety at the MAPFRE Foundation. On the other hand, the official argues that “it is essential to improve information, both for amateurs and professionals who use the motorcycle as a work tool and as a means of transportation to work,” since the probability of serious injuries is reduced by up to 22% with the use of a motorcycle airbag.
Motorcycle collision test at 40 km/h
The report includes the results of an experimental motorcycle collision test at 40 km/h with two occupants equipped with a driver airbag. 60% of motorcycle accidents occur at speeds below 40 km/h, a speed at which the airbag is effective in this type of vehicle.
The test carried out last week at the CESVIMAP facilities in Ávila demonstrated the research results.
The brand of the airbag vest for motorcyclists used in the test was Aspar Air, which sells two models called 0.5 (270 euros) and 1.0 (425 euros), which operate with a mechanical activation system with a cable, allowing, at the moment the motorcycle falls, the strap that connects it to the motorcyclist to be activated, tightening and pulling the spherical joint that, when released, activates a spring that punctures a gas cartridge that fills the airbag in less than 200 milliseconds.
It is worth noting that the number of motorcycle accidents has been increasing in Portugal. According to recent data from the National Road Safety Authority, in 2023 there were 8,936 accidents involving motorcycles, an increase of 16.4% compared to 2022.
